W32.Gibe@mm Removal Tool

SUMMARY

What the tool does
The W32.Gibe@mm Removal Tool does the following:

1. Terminates all the viral W32.Gibe@mm processes
2. Deletes any W32.Gibe@mm executable files

Command-line switches available with this tool

/SILENT, /S - Enables silent mode.
/LOG=[PATH NAME] - Creates a log file where [PATH NAME] is the location in which to store the output from the tool.
/START - Forces the tool to start scanning immediately.

To obtain and run the tool

CAUTION: Once a computer has been attacked by W32.Gibe@mm, it is possible that the system security has been compromised. For this reason, all of the passwords that are used on an infected computer should be changed. This includes remote access and dial-up networking passwords, remote shares passwords, and so on.

NOTE: You must have administrative rights to run this tool on Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP.

1. Download the FixGibe.exe file from:
   
   http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FixGibe.exe
   
2. Save the file to a convenient location, such as your download folder or the Windows desktop (or to removable media that is known to be uninfected).
3. To check the authenticity of the digital signature, refer to the section The digital signature.
4. Close all programs before you run the tool.
5. If you are on a network or you have a full-time connection to the Internet, disconnect the computer from the network and the Internet.
6. If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, disable System Restore. Please refer to the section System Restore option in Windows Me/XP for additional details.
   
   NOTE: If you are running Windows Me/XP, we strongly recommend that you perform this step.
   
7. Double-click the FixGibe.exe file to start the removal tool.
8. Click Start to begin the process, and then allow the tool to run.
9. Restart the computer.
   
   NOTE: The registry key value that was created by the worm will not be removed until the computer is restarted.
   
10. Run the removal tool again to ensure that the system is clean.
11. If you are running Windows Me/XP, then re-enable System Restore.
12. Run LiveUpdate to make sure that you are using the most current virus definitions.
    
    NOTE: The removal procedure might be unsuccessful if Windows Me/XP System Restore was not disabled (see step 6) because Windows prevents System Restore from being modified by outside programs. Because of this, the removal tool might fail.

When the tool has finished running, you will see a message that indicates whether the computer was infected by W32.Gibe@mm. In the case of a removal of the worm, the program displays the following results:

• The number of scanned files.
• The number of deleted files.
• The number of terminated viral processes.

The digital signature
FixGibe.exe is digitally signed. Symantec recommends that you only use copies of FixGibe.exe that were downloaded directly from the Symantec Security Response download site. To check the authenticity of the digital signature, follow these steps:

1. Go to http://www.wmsoftware.com/free.htm.
2. Download and save the Chktrust.exe file to the same folder where you saved FixGibe.exe (for example, C:Downloads).
3. Depending on your version of Windows, do one of the following:
   • Windows 95/98/NT: Click Start, point to Programs, and click MS-DOS Prompt.
   • Windows Me/XP/2000: Click Start, point to Programs, click Accessories, and click Command Prompt.
4. Change to the folder in which FixGibe.exe and Chktrust.exe are stored, and then type the following line and press Enter:
   
   chktrust -i fixgibe.exe
   
   For example, if you saved the file to the C:Downloads folder, you would type the following commands (and press Enter after each one):
   
   cd
   cd downloads
   chktrust -i fixgibe.exe
   
   If the digital signature is valid, you will see the following:
   
   Do you want to install and run "W32.Gibe@mm Removal Tool" signed on 4/1/2002 4:34 PM and distributed by Symantec Corporation."
   
   NOTES:
   • The date and time that appear in this dialog box will be adjusted to your time zone if your computer is not set to the Pacific time zone.
   • If you are using Daylight Saving Time, the time that you see will be exactly one hour earlier.
   • If this dialog box does not appear, there are two possible reasons:
     • The tool is not from Symantec. Unless you are sure that the tool is legitimate, and that you downloaded it from the legitimate Symantec Web site, you should not run it.
     • The tool is from Symantec, and is legitimate. However, your operating system was previously instructed to always trust content from Symantec. For information on this, and how to view the confirmation dialog again, read the document How to restore the Publisher Authenticity confirmation dialog box.
5. Click Yes to close the dialog box.
6. Type exit and then press Enter. This will close the MS-DOS session.

System Restore option in Windows Me/XP
Windows Me and Windows XP users should temporarily turn off System Restore. This feature, which is enabled by default, is used by Windows Me/XP to restore files on your computer in case they become damaged. When a computer is infected with a virus, worm, or Trojan, it is possible that the virus, worm, or Trojan could be backed up by System Restore. By default, Windows prevents System Restore from being modified by outside programs. As a result, there is the possibility that you could accidentally restore an infected file or that online scanners would detect the threat in that location. For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation or one of the following articles:

• How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore.
• How to disable or enable Windows XP System Restore.

For additional information and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Anti-Virus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder, Article ID: Q263455.

How to run the tool from a floppy disk

1. Insert into the floppy disk drive the floppy disk that contains the FixGibe.exe file.
2. Click Start, and click Run.
3. Type the following, and then click OK:
   
   a:fixgibe.exe
   
   NOTES:
   • There are no spaces in the command a:fixgibe.exe
   • If you are running Windows Me/XP and the System Restore remains enabled, you will see a warning message. You can choose to run the removal tool with the System Restore option enabled or exit the removal tool.
     
4. Click Start to begin the process, and then allow the tool to run.
5. If you are running Windows Me/XP, then re-enable System Restore.